Dreams do turn into reality, and the arrival of India’s new hockey sensation Yuvraj Walmiki is a perfect example. Hailed as the new wonder of Indian hockey, he has already shown what he is made of, scoring three goals at the inaugural Asian Champions Trophy, including an all-important goal in the penalty shootout against Pakistan in the final.
A friend’s newspaper photo as motivation
But his fairy tale goes well beyond that. The 21-year-old from Mumbai, who lives in a shanty in Marine Lines, had no intention of taking up hockey, nor did he have the resources to come this far. It all started some 12 years ago, when he saw a photo of his best friend, Boon D’Souza, in the newspaper. “I saw Boon’s photo in the newspaper and was very impressed by it. He used to play hockey for Bombay Republican. As a kid it was a big thing to be featured in a newspaper, and I wanted to be in the newspaper too. So the next day I went to coach Bawa (Marzban Patel) and asked him if I could join them,” recalls Yuvraj.
Living in extreme poverty
Even though he got an early break, the road ahead was still hard, because his father, Sunil Walmiki, a driver by profession, could not afford a hockey kit. “I come from a very poor background and did not have the money to buy a hockey kit. It was my best friend Boon who came to my rescue and gave me a kit, and that is how I started my hockey journey,” he said, adding that his childhood was marked by extreme poverty.
The house where his family has lived for the last four decades has no power supply, and people in the housing society have long wanted to evict them. That never happened, as the family had nowhere else to go. “I have been through extreme circumstances, but that never took me away from my goal. I feel blessed to have my parents. Even after so much trouble, they never stopped me. I want to give them a life of comfort now,” he said.
Showing gratitude
Yuvraj’s first break came in 2007, when he signed a contract with Air India, for whom he still plays at domestic level. “Joining Air India was the turning point of my career. It changed my whole attitude towards the game, as I got to interact with major players,” he said.
Yuvraj, who came into hockey largely because of the faith Bawa showed in him, soon began to be noticed by others, including hockey legend Dhanraj Pillay. Dhanraj was very impressed and took him on as a protégé. “He used to practise at the BHA grounds and he was the first kid selected for my academy. I saw that he had something in him and took him under my wing. But whatever he has achieved in life is because of his own ability and hard work. His financial background never raised a doubt in his mind. He never let his poverty divert his attention. So no one can take that credit from him,” said Pillay.
Despite his success, Yuvraj remains a humble person and gives credit to everyone for his achievement. “I am highly indebted to Bawa and Dhanraj Pillay. I always go to Bawa and Dhanraj whenever I have a problem, and they always guide me through it. I am also very thankful to Michael Nobbs, who showed immense faith in me and let me be part of the winning team,” said the youngest member of the Indian hockey team.
Enjoying the attention
Yuvraj is enjoying the attention he gets from his teammates. “Everyone in the team calls me ‘New Wonder’, which I like a lot. It gives me great motivation to perform well,” he said.
With various state governments announcing awards for him and his team, his new-found fame is also bringing him better days. “I am thankful to everybody who stood by me in trying times. I would also like to thank the media for all their support,” said Yuvraj.
The young prince of Indian hockey, however, refuses to get carried away. “I know the expectations have grown, but that does not put any pressure on me. Rather, I like it. I have struggled a lot and it is time to look forward. This is just the beginning, and my aim is to win an Olympic medal for the country,” he added.
By Samikshan Dutta Choudhury
Photos by Hridi P Mahanta
Indian Sports News
